Neighbors for a Night

While relaxing in the comfort of our parade chairs at Portland's Riverfront 1812 Concert in the Park last night, the contrast with New Orleans was dramatic. The Portland crowd of 5,000 neighbors for a night were well mannered, well dressed middle class mostly white folk. Many were drinking wine they brought themselves, some with ice from their ice chests. The weather was a balmy 74 degrees. Across the Willamette, there was a smooth flowing river of traffic on the Markheim Bridge, the upper deck slowed somewhat with the rush hour. Down on the river, a single sail boat serenely plyed the waters. The Hawthorne bridge parted, and a tug brought in the fireworks barge. Meanwhile, the Oregon Sympony filled the air with glorious music. The only one getting out of line was a smoker to dared to stand in the sitting section! The four in our party got mellow with wine, chips, and candy. The concert ended with the Oregon National Guard perhaps misfiring a couple of vollies to the music and then the sky over the Willamette filling with man made comets and starsbursts. It was great fun.

But we also talked about that other bridge in New Orleans. The one filled with desparate people in ninety plus degree day time temperature with no food, no water, no toilets. While we stood at attention as the orchestra played the Star Spangled Banner I had questions in my heart whether our banner still waved over that part of the land of the free and the home of the brave. How can our leaders allow this to happen in America? I leave you to draw your own conclusions.....